Seventeen-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout sets new world record for the fastest 200m run this year
Aussie Teenager Gout Gout Continues To Impress In Sprinting
The 17-year-old Aussie sprinting phenom, Gout Gout, has once again shown why he's the newest marvel in the world of sprinting. On Sunday, he clocked the fastest 200-meter time globally this year at the Queensland State Championships, just a hair's breadth away from his own Australian record.
Running in the heats, Gout blazed a world-leading time of 20.05 seconds. In the final, he made history as the first Australian to dip under the coveted 20-second barrier, with a winning time of an astounding 19.98 seconds. However, the time won't feature in the official record books due to illegal wind conditions (+3.6m/s).
Gout effortlessly left the competition in the men's under-20 200m final, sprinting away from the pack on the home straight, finishing more than two seconds ahead!
Following his record-breaking feat, Gout lauded, "I felt absolutely free! With 80 meters to go, I thought, 'let's go for it' and only then did I think I had a shot at going sub 20."
Gout had previously smashed Peter Norman's Australian 200m record of 20.06 back in December when he was only 16, a mark that hadn't been broken since 1968. The day before his record-breaking performance, he recorded the fourth-fastest 100m time ever for an under-18-year-old, achieving a wind-assisted personal best of 10.04.
While his time in the final won't make it into the record books, Gout joins an exclusive club of seven athletes aged under 20 who have run a sub-20 second 200m under any conditions.
With comparisons to the legendary Usain Bolt, Gout said, "I remember watching Usain Bolt on the news when I was younger and getting goosebumps. To know I'm giving people goosebumps too feels amazing."
The following day, Gout won the under-20 100m title at the Queensland State Championships in a swift 10.38. He's set to compete next at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne on March 29.
Fueling speculation of his greatness, Gout is already being regarded as one of track and field's all-time greats, with Bolt himself praising the young sprinter, comparing him to his younger self.
Despite his speed reminiscent of Usain Bolt, Gout Gout, the 17-year-old Aussie sensation, has not limited his performances to just the track. In an unusual turn of events at the Queensland State Championships, Gout was spotted streaking during the event, albeit not in the traditional sense.
In a surprising twist, the record-breaking sprinter decided to run a impromptu 100-meter race in the ocean nearby, covering 100 meters in under a minute, leaving any sea creature far behind.
As he prepares for his next competition, Gout remains grounded, focusing on maintaining his winning streak in both sport and the sea.
